But that was not the end of the crisis. The pace of infections increased further in the following weeks. As of July 14, the government surveillance system had received information about 71,235 infections and 49 deaths. Based on the latest data released in early August, the number of infected people exceeded 86,000 and the number of deaths reached 62. In other words, what was considered a serious situation in the last week of June has turned into a major public health crisis in just a few weeks?

 

Two More Dengue Deaths in 24 Hours, 730 Hospitalized in Bangladesh

In the last 24 hours, two more people have died from the mosquito-borne dengue disease. With this, the total death toll from dengue this year has reached 67. During the same period, 730 new patients were admitted to hospitals with dengue. This information was revealed in the regular dengue report of the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) on Saturday (August 15).

 

According to the DGHS, both of the deceased in the last 24 hours were residents of the Khulna division. Meanwhile, the highest number of dengue patients—374—were hospitalized in the Dhaka division. Additionally, in the last 24 hours, 123 people were hospitalized in the Khulna division, 107 in Barishal, 89 in Chattogram, 27 in Mymensingh, and 10 in the Rangpur division. In total, from January 1 to Saturday, 67 people have died of dengue. Of these, 30 people died in the Dhaka division alone, which includes the two city corporations.

 

Besides, during this period, apart from 15 deaths in the Khulna division, 8 died in Barishal, 6 in Mymensingh, 5 in Chattogram, and one each in the Rajshahi, Rangpur, and Sylhet divisions, making it a total of three deaths.

 

Doctors Advise Dengue Testing in Case of Fever

Specialist doctors have advised people to visit the nearest hospital and get tested for dengue if they experience a fever for one to two days. They also recommended that if a dengue infection is detected in the test, patients should consult a doctor instead of staying at home. Speaking with specialists, it is evident that the number of dengue patients is increasing across the country, including the capital. A significant portion of the infected are children. This year, school-going children are particularly vulnerable. Therefore, if a fever occurs, dengue testing should be done without delay, and medical advice should be sought as needed.

 

The DGHS has also requested the public to get tested for dengue at the nearest hospital as soon as they develop a fever. Relevant officials informed that the government has made the NS-1 test completely free in all government hospitals until December 31, and reduced the fee for other dengue tests from 300 BDT to only 50 BDT.

 

According to DGHS data, up to August 8 this year, 18,673 people have been hospitalized with dengue, and 59 have died. Among the infected, 61.5% are male and 38.5% are female. Among those affected, 10,827 are between the ages of 0 and 30; 25 people in this age bracket have died (22 males and 37 females). So far this year, 26 deaths have occurred in the Dhaka division alone.

Health Minister Advises Wearing Lungi and Pajamas to Combat Dengue

To combat dengue, awareness is being raised nationwide, advising people to sleep under mosquito nets and wear full-sleeve shirts, pajamas, and long lungis, according to Health Minister Sardar Md. Sakhawat Hossain. He stated this on Wednesday (July 15) in the National Parliament in response to an urgent public importance notice raised by Md. Nurul Islam, Member of Parliament for Chapainawabganj-3.

 

The Health Minister said, "Since taking office, we have been keeping a close watch on this matter and are constantly trying to maintain cleanliness. We are spraying; we are spreading larva-killing tablets. We are raising public awareness nationwide to sleep under mosquito nets, wear full-sleeve shirts, wear pajamas, or wear long lungis."

 

He further added, "We have taken all necessary measures to prevent dengue nationwide. I also want to mention that we have an unprecedented stock of reagents for dengue testing, something no previous government was able to maintain. We have provided an adequate supply of these kits at the field level, and we have ample stock in the central godown."

 

Stating that the government has taken comprehensive preparations to control the dengue situation, he noted that instructions have been issued to reserve 10% of beds for dengue patients in private hospitals, alongside government hospitals. Furthermore, the dengue test fee has been reduced to 50 BDT, and adequate kits and saline are stockpiled. Presenting statistics in parliament, the Health Minister stated that from January to June 2024, 8,978 people were infected with dengue, and 28 died. In contrast, last year (calculated up to July 2025), 15,210 people were infected and 58 died.

 

Sardar Md. Sakhawat Hossain informed that for the convenience of the general public, the dengue NS1 test is being conducted free of charge at government hospitals. Additionally, the fee for IgG and IgM tests has been reduced from 300 BDT to just 50 BDT. Currently, there is a stock of 106,600 kits in the central medical store, and another 500,000 kits will be added next month. A special reserve of 100,000 extra saline bags has also been kept.

 

Regarding private hospitals, the minister said that a meeting was held with the owners of private medical colleges and hospitals a month and a half ago. They were instructed to keep 10% of their total beds vacant for dengue patients and agreed to conduct tests at government rates.

 

If the dengue situation worsens severely, mobile hospitals are kept ready to manage the crisis, and preparations are in place to deploy the army if necessary, the Health Minister noted. He also mentioned that ICU facilities are being expanded at the district level. Already, 10-bed ICUs have been launched in 12 districts, and 5 more districts will have them within the next 15 days. Stressing the mosquito eradication efforts of city corporations and municipalities, Sardar Md. Sakhawat Hossain requested Members of Parliament to conduct cleanliness drives in their respective areas. He remarked, "Mosquitoes are very small insects. In a densely populated country like ours, water accumulates everywhere. Mosquito control workers are often barred from entering houses. The general public must be aware."

 

‘Dengue corners’ have been launched in Upazila health complexes, doctors and nurses are receiving training, field hospitals are prepared, reagents and testing kits have been procured, and an adequate stock of essential medicines and oral saline has been ensured. Taking early preparations to combat this mosquito-borne disease, seven city corporations, including the Dhaka North and South City Corporations, have hit the field. They are executing separate programs to tackle the risks of dengue and chikungunya in their areas.

 

This year, for the first time, the Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) conducted a ‘Pre-Monsoon Aedes Mosquito Larva Survey’ under its own management. Meanwhile, the Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) has launched a unique, music-based promotional campaign to boost public awareness about dengue prevention. Regarding the government's preparedness, Health Minister Sardar Md. Sakhawat Hossain told the media that the government has taken all-out measures.

 

The Health Minister stated that private hospitals have been directed to reserve at least 10% of their beds for dengue patients. At the same time, doctors have been urged not to charge visit fees from dengue patients. A request has also been made to provide up to an 80% discount on various diagnostic tests. He noted that the government currently holds a stock of about 200,000 bags of oral saline and is taking steps to increase this reserve further.

 

On Saturday (June 6), a nationwide awareness rally was held to prevent dengue. On the same day, the Health Minister inaugurated a three-month-long special cleanliness and public awareness campaign initiated by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. Starting from Rabindra Sarobar in the capital, this program is being rolled out at the district and Upazila levels.

 

A five-day special ‘Crash Program’ has been launched in high-risk wards, jointly implemented by the Health Department and the Waste Management Department. This initiative includes destroying mosquito breeding grounds, exterminating larvae, conducting cleanliness drives, removing waste, running public awareness campaigns, and maintaining intensive surveillance in high-risk areas.

 

State Minister for Health Dr. M. A. Muhit stated that if every citizen takes dengue prevention as a personal responsibility, the situation can largely be controlled. He announced a special three-month program aimed at raising public awareness. Its primary goal is to intensify cleanliness activities, destroy Aedes mosquito breeding sites, and turn dengue prevention into a social movement through public engagement. Mentioning the initiative to involve religious leaders, the State Minister said that awareness messages on cleanliness and dengue prevention will be delivered by Imams during Friday prayers.

 

Stakeholders believe that with the government's advance preparations, the coordinated initiatives of city corporations, and the active participation of citizens, the spread of dengue and chikungunya can be kept well under control this season.

Free Treatment for Dengue Patients: Health Minister

Health Minister Sardar Md. Sakhawat Hossain has announced that dengue patients will receive free treatment. He shared this with journalists on Tuesday (June 2) following a meeting at the Secretariat concerning dengue prevention, treatment, and guidelines.

 

The Health Minister stated that 10% of beds in private medical colleges will be kept vacant for dengue patients. The beds and treatment will be provided completely free of charge, and private hospital authorities will cover 80% of the cost for various health investigations. However, the patient will have to bear the cost of food and medicine. Regarding prevention, he said, "We will make our utmost efforts nationwide to control mosquitoes. We will take steps to ensure that mosquito breeding does not increase. Spraying will be done on both land and water. We will use a tablet that kills larvae; we will collect these in large quantities and drop them into water bodies, drains, puddles, and stagnant water."

 

Adding a point regarding the City Corporations, he said, "There are many abandoned washrooms that contain commodes where water accumulates. Thousands of mosquitoes breed and fly out of there in the evenings. These abandoned washrooms must be located, and we need to spray inside them and drop tablets or spray in the water—this must be kept in mind. Similar attention should be given to garages. Special chemicals will be used to destroy mosquito larvae."

 

Mobile courts will be strictly operated across the country to control dengue. If the roof or surroundings of anyone's house are found unkempt and mosquito larvae are discovered, they will be fined through mobile courts.

 

Noting that "We have already received a donation of one lakh fluids," the minister instructed, "You must keep an adequate stock of fluids in your hospitals. Within the next three days, you must provide us with an account of how many beds you have in which hospital—specifically our 10 percent—and what fluid stock you have to fight dengue. You must also inform us how much more you plan to collect. Do not treat my words as an order. We are seeking your cooperation to assist distressed people. That call for cooperation borders on a directive, but don't treat it as an instruction—it is a request, a humble request to you."

 

The Health Minister emphasized, "You need to increase your stock of saline and inform us of its status and the number of beds within the next three days. The responsibility we are shouldering is not just the governments. If we (the government) fail, you also fail, the country fails. Therefore, this is a shared responsibility."

Government Prepared to Combat Dengue

"Dengue patients are being identified in ones and twos. Since this is the season for dengue, we do not want to waste time. We are taking comprehensive preparations to tackle the disease," said Health Minister Sardar Md. Sakhawat Hossain.

 

The Health Ministry held a meeting to strategize actions in case dengue cases surge. The meeting took place on Monday (June 1) in the ministry's conference room, chaired by Health Minister Sardar Md. Sakhawat Hossain. Attendees included State Minister Dr. M.A. Muhit, Additional Secretary ATM Saiful Islam, DGHS Director General Prof. Dr. Provat Chandra Biswas, Additional Director General Prof. Dr. Jahid Raihan, Director (Disease Control) Halimur Rashid, Director (Hospital) AHM Moinul Ahsan, and leaders from the Society of Medicine.

 

The Health Minister announced that the Society of Medicine will provide detailed training, including treatment plans. "Work begins tomorrow. Training will be conducted nationwide. Some reagents and saline are currently in stock, and we have decided to procure other necessary items. Essentially, we have completed our preliminary preparations."

 

When asked about tackling the root causes of dengue, the minister replied, "We will sit with the city corporations regarding this issue. They will work on it."

Dengue Tests Free in All Govt Hospitals till Dec 31

The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has mandated that NS1 tests for dengue diagnosis be conducted free of charge in government hospitals until December 31. This directive was outlined in a notice signed on Sunday (July 5) by Kazi Sharif Uddin Ahmed, Deputy Secretary of the Government Health Management-1 Branch under the Health Services Division. The notice formally requested the necessary steps to make NS1 tests free at government hospitals until December 31, 2026.

 

The Ministry forwarded this directive to the directors of medical college hospitals, civil surgeons, Upazila health and family planning officers, and all other relevant authorities nationwide for their information and execution.

 

The Health Minister confirmed that dengue NS1 testing kits have been distributed at the police station, Upazila, and district levels. Furthermore, hospitals in Dhaka and other major cities have been prepped and will be fully activated if patient numbers rise. Emphasizing public awareness, he urged everyone, from the union level down to mosque Imams, to keep their environments clean.

 

In Bangladesh, the severity of dengue typically spikes during June, July, August, and September due to heavy rainfall. Moreover, unable to handle the excess water pressure, neighboring India often opens its river dams during this time. This combination results in a high water volume in Bangladesh’s environment and increased average rainfall. The rainwater accumulates in drains, abandoned ponds, coconut shells, and plastic waste, creating ideal breeding grounds for Aedes mosquitoes. The rain also leads to dense vegetation growth in abandoned rural areas, which serves as habitats for various mosquitoes. Consequently, waterborne diseases become highly prevalent. Beyond medical treatment, destroying breeding grounds and ensuring a clean environment remain the most effective strategies for controlling dengue.

 

Highlighting special precautions in dengue treatment, Minister for Health and Family Welfare Sakhawat Hossain Bakul pointed out that patients often succumb to plasma leakage. To address this, a 'Daily Treatment Protocol' has been drafted in coordination with specialist doctors and distributed via the mobile phones and websites of all physicians. Hospitals have been explicitly instructed that even if a dengue patient's fever drops, they must not be discharged until they are completely stabilized and cleared of danger.

 

During the event, the Health Minister also revealed that after 25 years, a state-of-the-art ten-headed microscope has been installed at Dhaka Medical College Hospital, which will make cancer detection significantly more accurate and effective. He also shared that initiatives are underway to reform the medical curriculum to align medical education with international standards.

 

However, criticism remains regarding the Pathology Department, which is the foundational pillar of medical treatment. After a government microscope broke down three years ago, no further budget was allocated. This raises the question: how will hospitals in Bangladesh manage to operate as modern, one-stop emergency facilities modeled after institutions like Thailand's Bumrungrad or Singapore's Mount Elizabeth Hospital?

Dengue Fever in Bangladesh: Rising Cases, Warning Signs, Treatment, and How to Stay Safe

Dengue fever remains a growing public health concern in Bangladesh, particularly during the rainy season. As mosquito population’s increase and stagnant water becomes more common, the risk of dengue transmission rises significantly across both urban and rural communities.

According to Bangladesh's Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS), two additional people died from dengue within a recent 24-hour period, while 730 new patients were hospitalized. This brought the reported dengue death toll in Bangladesh to 67 for the year at that point.

Although Bangladesh is thousands of miles away from the United States, dengue is not exclusively a South Asian health issue. Dengue outbreaks occur in many tropical and subtropical regions worldwide, and travelers, humanitarian workers, and people living in or visiting affected areas should understand how the infection spreads, what symptoms to watch for, and when medical care is necessary.

A baby born after a fraught pregnancy is now at the center of a bitter custody fight that reads like a collision of two powerful narratives: the intended parents’ expectation of control over a planned pregnancy, and a gestational carrier’s insistence on bodily autonomy and parental connection. According to the account, the intended parents asked for an abortion after learning of a serious fetal heart defect at 20 weeks. The Alaska‑based gestational carrier refused, left the state, carried the pregnancy to term in Texas, and now seeks parental rights while the biological parents pursue custody.

This story is raw and complicated. It raises urgent questions about contracts and consent, about who gets to decide when a pregnancy becomes a family, and about how the law treats people who step into nontraditional caregiving roles.

 

Introduction: Medical emergencies never knock before they arrive. Whether it is a sudden midnight fever, a minor kitchen burn, an unexpected drop in blood pressure, or a sudden fluctuation in blood sugar levels having the right medical supplies at home can make a massive difference. In many cases, immediate primary care prevents a minor injury or health crisis from escalating. At Top Medical Healthcare Center, we believe that proactive health management starts right at your home. Whether you live alone, have energetic kids, or care for elderly parents, having these essential medical tools and supplies at home is critically important.

Clinical Analysis and Potential Pathological Causes

The lymphatic system plays a critical role in maintaining human immunity and fluid balance. When the normal flow within this system remains completely obstructed for years, fluid accumulates in the affected area, leading to tissue fibrosis. This eventually manifests as massive swelling or Elephantiasis.

Lymphatic Filariasis (Bancroftian Elephantiasis)

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), filariasis is the leading cause of such extreme limb and tissue deformity in tropical and subtropical regions (including Bangladesh and South Asia). Medical Pathology & Infection: This is primarily a mosquito-borne parasitic disease transmitted by Culex or Anopheles mosquitoes. Microscopic, thread-like nematodes (worms) such as Wuchereria bancrofti (responsible for nearly 90% of cases), Brugia malayi, or Brugia timori enter the human bloodstream through the bite of an infected mosquito.

 

Physiological Mechanism: These adult worms lodge and propagate within the lymph nodes and lymphatic vessels. Their presence triggers severe inflammation (lymphangitis), causing permanent blockage or occlusion of the lymphatic channels. Consequently, lymph fluid begins to pool in the lower extremities or specific localized organs.

 

Advanced Manifestation: Years of chronic fluid retention cause the skin and underlying connective tissues to become abnormally hard and thickened (Fibrosis). In medical terms, this is referred to as Elephantiasis Dermatitis. In males, it often presents as a Giant Scrotal Hydrocele or massive scrotal lymphedema, severely impairing the patient's mobility.

 

Podoconiosis (Non-Filarial Elephantiasis)

While visually identical to lymphatic filariasis, this condition involves no parasite or infectious agent. It is entirely an environmental and geochemical disease.

 

Pathology & Etiology: This condition is triggered by prolonged, barefoot exposure to alkaline mud or soils derived from volcanic rocks, which are highly enriched with minerals like silica, aluminum, and iron.

 

Physiological Mechanism: Microscopic mineral particles penetrate the skin of the bare feet. Macrophages (immune cells) attempt to engulf and clear these foreign particles but fail to destroy them. This induces a chronic inflammatory response within the lymphatic vessels.

 

Symptoms: Over time, the lymphatic vessels are progressively destroyed, culminating in elephantiasis. A defining clinical hallmark of podoconiosis is that the swelling consistently ascends from the foot upward and typically manifests symmetrically in both lower limbs (Bilateral involvement).

 

Severe Secondary Lymphedema

Even in the absence of filariasis or podoconiosis, structural or anatomical damage to the lymphatic network can trigger this condition. In chronic stages, this secondary lymphedema is clinically classified as Elephantiasis Nostras Verrucosa.

 

Primary Etiologies:

Deep Tissue Infection: Chronic, recurrent bouts of cellulitis or bacterial infections cause progressive, irreversible damage to the lymphatic channels.

 

Surgery or Trauma: Major surgical interventions in the pelvic or inguinal (groin) regions, radical lymph node dissection during cancer surgeries, or severe physical trauma from road traffic accidents can disrupt or sever lymphatic pathways.

 

Radiation Therapy: High-dose radiation used in oncological treatments can induce deep tissue scarring and fibrosis, permanently obliterating local lymphatic structures.

 

Chronic Venous Insufficiency (CVI): Long-standing venous hypertension can overload the local lymphatic capillaries, eventually rendering them non-functional.

 

Giant Benign or Malignant Mass

Though rare, a localized mass of this magnitude can stem from congenital vascular/lymphatic malformations or a long-neglected tumor.

 

Pathology: This may be a congenital lymphatic or vascular malformation (such as a Lymphangioma) that has grown insidiously since childhood, reaching a monstrous volume in adulthood.

 

Other Differential Diagnoses: It could represent a giant soft-tissue tumor, such as a Giant Lipoma, an advanced presentation of Neurofibromatosis, or a slow-growing soft-tissue Sarcoma (malignant tumor). Definitive tissue pathology cannot be confirmed without a proper biopsy or advanced cross-sectional imaging (MRI/CT scan).

 

Professional Management and Clinical Care Protocol

Managing patients at this advanced stage requires far more than medical therapy. It demands a structured protocol managed by a multi-disciplinary medical board:

 

Infection Control and Local Hygiene (Morbid Hygiene Management)

The deep skin folds created by massive tissue hypertrophy carry an exceptionally high risk of opportunistic bacterial and fungal superinfections. These infections can trigger acute episodes of Dermato-Lymphangio-Adenitis (DLA), characterized by debilitating fever and severe local pain.

 

Intervention: The affected region must be washed daily with mild soap and clean water, then patted completely dry using a soft towel. Under no circumstances should the skin folds be left damp or moist. Prophylactic or therapeutic topical antibacterial or antifungal agents should be applied as directed by a physician.

 

Limitations of Lymphatic Filtration and Compression Therapy

While compression bandages or sequential pneumatic compression pumps are highly effective in standard lymphedema, they are often impractical, risky, or physically impossible to apply directly to a giant, fibrotic mass of this scale. However, mild compression may be considered under strict medical supervision once acute infections are stabilized.

 

Surgical Reconstruction (Surgical Management) - The Definitive Solution

Because the tissues have undergone permanent fibrotic changes and formed a massive physical burden, the primary and most effective definitive treatment is Surgical Debulking combined with Reconstructive Plastic Surgery.

 

Procedure: A collaborative surgical team, typically comprising an experienced Urologist and a Plastic & Reconstructive Surgeon, performs a wide excision of the hypertrophied, fibrotic tissue and excess skin (Excision of Lymphoedematous Tissue).

 

Outcomes: If the mass is an inguinal or giant scrotal lymphedema/hydrocele, surgical debulking yields excellent success rates. By carefully isolating and preserving the vital underlying anatomical structures, surgeons can safely resect the massive external burden, effectively restoring the patient's mobility and quality of life.

 

Next Steps

The patient should be urgently referred to a tertiary care medical center (such as a Government Medical College Hospital or specialized institutions like BSMMU) to be evaluated by the departments of Urology and Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery. Initial diagnostic workups, including a localized Ultrasound (USG), a Contrast-Enhanced CT Scan, and routine hematological profiles, must be expedited to map out the tissue architecture and plan the surgical reconstruction.

Struggling with an itchy scabies rash?

Discover the most effective scabies treatments (permethrin and ivermectin), safety tips for children and diabetics, and a complete home cleaning action plan to stop its spread. Scabies is more than just a name for an itch; it's not just a disease but a grueling ordeal. The itching can be so intense that it can keep you up at night. Once it infests your family, it can linger in you and your family for years without proper treatment and necessary steps. Contrary to popular belief, scabies has nothing to do with poor hygiene. It's a skin infestation caused by a microscopic mite called Sarcoptes scabiei, and it can affect anyone and at any age. Scabies treatment, Permethrin cream, Scabies rash, Sarcoptes scabiei, How to get rid of scabies, Scabies in children, Post-scabetic itch.

Hospitals in flood affected areas are in poor condition

Medical students said to deal with the disaster in Bangladesh. We have a total of 619 medical teams working to provide medical services to flood victims in Bangladesh. The ground floor of Feni district hospital is completely submerged. Special care newborn unit, emergency department, store room, blood bank are all under water. Various hospital items are floating in the water. It can be seen on the surface, the chair table of the emergency department has completely sunk. Some bags are lying in the water. Medicine packets are also seen floating. On the second floor of the administrative building of the hospital, there are several other departments including children's ward, gynecology. Electricity sub-stations are submerged in flood water. Due to the power cut, it is dark there even during the day. We are for emergency operations due to power outages. It has to be taken with the help of a hand generator and battery. But the batteries do not have a recharge system. Again the necessary oil for the generator has to be kept available. A committed team from the University of Asia Pacific (UAP) successfully delivered more than 1,000 essential medicines, including oral saline, water purification tablets, hand sanitizer, paracetamol, metronidazole, sanitary pads and baby diapers.

250 bedded General Hospital- Feni, Bangladesh

 

 

Increase in disease in flood affected areas

Due to the rain caused by the low pressure during the flood, and the body being wet for a long time in the flood water. Elderly and children are mostly affected by fever and cold. Shelters are disoriented. All those in shelters are upset. . Not even enough dry clothes. Flood victims are suffering from skin diseases. Along with other diseases, people affected by floods also suffer from skin problems. The skin of children is also affected negatively at this time. Fungal infections are caused by wet skin at any age. There has been an outbreak of scabies. Various types of bacteria are carried along with the flood water, and harmful chemicals mixed in the water are causing such diseases.

 

 

Medical volunteer students warn flood victims. A fungal or bacterial infection of the skin or an allergy may cause itching or redness; Wounds may occur. Avoiding exposure to flood water will protect the skin. But the reality is that it is not always possible to take such precautions during flash floods. So it is necessary to know about the practical solution of the problem. You can take care of these things after moving away from the water to a safe place. At this time, Dr. Dermatologist gave various information about various aspects of skin protection. Israt Khan After contact with flood water, wash skin with soap and clean water as soon as possible. If clean water is not available, clean that part of the skin with a disinfectant solution. Then dry it with a clean cloth. The skin between the fingers or other skin folds may remain wet for a long time. Care should be taken to wipe these parts thoroughly. Use good water to clean the body. If there is little water, there is no opportunity to take a bath. In that case, you can wipe the face, head and body by soaking a clean cloth in that water. Remember, not cleaning the skin for a long time can increase the risk of various skin problems. Clothing that has come in contact with flood water should be washed with warm water and detergent before reuse. It is necessary to follow this rule for all types of clothes including clothes and used clothes, including bed sheets.

 

 

Care must be taken while cleaning the house or surrounding area after a flood, so that the skin is not injured by sharp or sharp objects during cleaning. Because, no one knows what exactly has floated in the flood water. Where there seems to be only mud, there may be dangerous objects such as blades, pins, and thorns. If the skin has been cut or scratched in any way, then extra precautions are needed. When there is a risk of exposure to flood water, efforts should be made to cover the cut with a waterproof bandage. If waterproof bandages are absolutely not available, then gauze, and if that too is not available, cloth should be rolled up. Try not to flood the wound. If it still sticks, it should be cleaned and dried quickly.

 

 

Do not wear wet clothes. Should be replaced as soon as possible. Do not step into flood water with bare feet. Rubber boots are required to wade through flood waters. If rubber boots are not available, other waterproof shoes, such as plastic shoes, can be worn. If you don't have that, you have to wear the shoes that are nearby. If you don't have shoes, you can wear sandals. After leaving the flood water, wash your feet with soapy water and dry them quickly. It is better not to walk barefoot in areas exposed to flood water, after the flood, that is, even after the water recedes; Sandals or shoes should be used. Even after the water inside the house has receded, one cannot walk without sandals or shoes until it is properly cleaned. Toys that have come into contact with flood water should not be given to children without thorough cleaning. Toys made of cotton or foam materials that absorb water are best thrown away.

Medical camp of Bangladeshi medical students in flood affected areas

 

 

Patients with respiratory problems are increasing due to floods

The number of patients suffering from respiratory problems due to floods is increasing day by day. Most of the patients are suffering from cold-related diseases including shortness of breath, cough, sore throat, chest pain, and sneezing. Dr. Tanveer Ahad Joy and Dr. Tanveer Ahad Joy of Dhaka Medical College gave this information after providing medical services at Ladibagh Primary School, a remote shelter in the flood-hit Rajapur Union of Comilla's Burichong. Sabrina Mansoor. Several teams of expert doctors from Dhaka Medical College were providing medical services in the flood affected areas. As part of this, the team went to the Ladi Bagh area of ​​Rajapur Union, a remote area of ​​Burichong. This is the first medical team to reach the area since the floods started. Most of the people in this area were affected by various diseases due to not going to any doctor before. Among the 102 patients, most are children and women. They are suffering from colds, especially respiratory problems. Specialist doctors are quite surprised by a marriage. They reported that 90% of people in Bangladesh were given the Covid-19 vaccine. It has been a huge success. During the rainy season or in cold weather, the amount of cold, cough, and sore throat is much less. Another thing they noticed is that the use of the antibiotic azithromycin, which doctors used to use, has also decreased significantly. 

 

 

Diarrhea and snake bite patients are increasing due to flood in Noakhali

Resident Medical Officer (RMO) of Noakhali General Hospital Syed Mohiuddin Abdul Azim said that the number of patients with diarrhea and snake bite is increasing in the hospital every day. At present, 68 people are admitted in the hospital suffering from diarrhea and 25 are snake bite patients. Apart from this, 93 diarrhea patients are receiving treatment in 8 upazila health complexes affected by floods in the district.

Counseling of Bangladeshi medical students among flood affected people

 

 

How to properly purify drinking water

Water is a life saving material. But instead of saving lives, it can be life-threatening if not properly purified. It is very important for you to know the ways in which water can be purified.

 

To boil

Boiling is a universal way of purifying water. But there is a misconception about how long to boil water. According to the World Health Organization, water should be boiled for 5-25 minutes at 60°C or 100°C or boiled for 1-3 minutes after boiling. Boiling water for extra time reduces the amount of oxygen in it along with essential elements.

 

Filter method

Another popular method of purifying water is the filtration method. Filter method is most effective especially for rural people. The filter system can be easily manufactured at low cost. How does this method work? To begin with, a clean container should be made with small holes and a layer of charcoal with a thin cotton cloth. The next step is to easily build your own 'purification apparatus' with sand and stones. For water purification in the filter system, the components have to be changed every few days.

 

Chlorine tablets or bleaching powder

Chlorine tablets are available in the market. Through this, more water can be purified in a short time very easily. 1 tablet can purify 3 liters of water. Bleaching powder should be added in 10 liters of water and after 30 minutes the above water should be stored in another container and used. Water purified by this method may have some odor, which is greatly reduced by stirring with a stick after storage. Pregnant women and those suffering from thyroid problems should avoid drinking water treated with chlorine tablets or bleaching.

 

Solar system

If the water is left in the strong sunlight for 6 hours, the water becomes pure. But you can't get that kind of intense sun.

 

Through iodine

Water can be purified with 2 percent iodine in 1 liter of water. Or iodine tablets can be purified by adding 2 to 1 liter of water or 3 if the water is cloudy. But this method cannot be done without skilled people. Because, if the level of iodine is not right, the water will not be pure. Ionized water should not be consumed continuously for more than 3 weeks. Because it can cause thyroid problems. Pregnant and thyroid patients should not drink water treated with iodine.

 

 

Students talk about ways to conserve water

The water storage container must be clean. It is better if it is not a plastic container. Earthen, steel or aluminum containers should be used for storage. And all types of utensils should be used properly. So that all the containers do not accumulate and various types of microorganisms such as mosquitoes can not breed. Mosquitoes, a family of 3,600 species of small flies. It mostly lays its eggs in still water and reproduces in large numbers. We have to pay special attention to these things so that we can be a little careful. Medical students said that mosquito infestation is high in almost all countries of Central Asia including Bangladesh. Because of this, dengue and malaria diseases can increase in all flood affected areas. That is why everyone is advised to take early action and be careful.

 

 

 

Is rain water healthy?

Rainwater directly from the sky is completely safe. But the risk of contamination increases during rainwater harvesting. So after storage it should be boiled or strained or purified by other means to drink. Water is the source of various water-borne diseases including diarrhea, typhoid, jaundice, cholera, which can cause human death. Therefore, the purity of the life-saving material should be ensured before consumption.